Cross-Sectional Survey on Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Cattle, Sheep, and Goats in Algeria: Seroprevalence and Risk Factors.

Abdallah Abdallah,Rachid Rachid,Kamel Kamel,Karima Karima,Khatima Khatima,Samir Samir,Djamel Djamel

doi:10.3390/vetsci6030063

Abdallah Abdallah, Rachid Rachid + Show 5 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci6030063

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Abstract

A cross-sectional study aimed at assessing the seroprevalence and identifying the risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection in cattle, sheep, and goats in eight provinces located in two main Algerian agro-ecological zones was carried out from October 2015 to March 2018. Blood sera from 4074 animals of both sexes were tested for the presence of anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies, using the indirect, enzyme-linked, immunosorbent assay technique (ELISA). Moreover, to identify the potential risk factors of T. gondii infection, a survey through a breeders’ questionnaires was conducted. Nearly one-fourth of the total number of animals tested (1024/4074)—i.e., 25.1%—were seropositive. The seroprevalence in cattle, sheep, and goats was 28.7%, 25.6%, and 11.9%, respectively. The area, sex, age, and herd size were identified as risk factors for T. gondii infection. Higher seropositivity rates were recorded in cows and goats (odds ratio (OR) = 1.63 and 6.4), in old animals (cattle, OR = 2.1; sheep, OR = 1.9; and goat, OR = 3.9), and in small size herds (cattle, OR = 2.5; sheep, OR = 1.9; goat, OR = 2.2). In conclusion, there is widespread T. gondii infection in cattle, sheep, and goats in these two strategic agricultural areas. The identification of the risk factors determines the type of measures and strategies to be undertaken to reduce, control, and prevent T. gondii infection in domestic animals, and thereby reduce human infection.

Highlights

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan that causes widespread infection in humans and many other warm-blooded animal species; it has adverse effects on public health and animal production
We considered these farms as positive for T. gondii infection
The present study provided a better understanding of Toxoplasma infection, and revealed widespread T. gondii infection in food-producing domestic ruminants in Algeria

Summary

Introduction

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan that causes widespread infection in humans and many other warm-blooded animal species (mammals and birds); it has adverse effects on public health and animal production. While many animals serve as intermediate hosts, only domestic cats are definitive hosts. The parasite is transmitted to these hosts through contaminated meat, milk, and water. Such contamination can arise with oocyst-contaminated foodstuffs, which is an important route for the contamination of farm animals [1,2]. Ingestion of ecologically robust stages (sporozoites in oocysts), consumption of raw or undercooked meat, or meat products containing tachyzoites or bradyzoites is the main transmission route of Toxoplasma to humans [3,4]. Most infections in humans are asymptomatic, but serious complications may occur following congenital Toxoplasma infection, such as abortion, stillbirth, mortality, and

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